Anni-Sofia

Introduction

I am Anni-Sofia Niittyvuopio, a 22-year-old Sámi influencer and reindeer herder from Karigasniemi.

I come from Karigasniemi and lived in Rovaniemi for four years as a student. I am currently the Chair of the Sámi Parliamentary Youth Council, an alternate delegate of the Utsjoki Municipal Council and a party delegate for the Left Alliance. I am also a member of the Utsjoki Vitality and Review Committees and have just been elected to a member of the Left Students Board.

I have almost ten years of experience in organisational activities, where I am especially familiar with the teaching and culture in and of the Sámi language. As the Chair of the Youth Council, I have also obtained solid experience in other fields, including social and healthcare. In addition, I am also familiar with Sámi heritage and the rights of indigenous peoples combined with the climate change debate.

In politics, it is important for me to promote equality for people, whether it is about climate change or mother tongue services. I would like to be involved in promoting the enjoyment of all our rights and the right to a good life. That is why, three years ago, I found the Left Alliance was to be my political home, where the most important values for me are included: the rights of minorities, the establishment of livelihoods and halting climate change, and where it is understood that decisions should be fair yet sufficient.

I am a graduate in financial and office services and have worked in financial services in the energy sector, but also in Sámi-language kindergartens, as an event producer, and I am currently working as a project coordinator in the Sámi language teaching.